The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th, caused not only a tremendous loss of life, but considerable damage to the nation’s infrastructure. As people around the world watch the heart-wrenching images coming out of the earthquake ravaged nation, donations are pouring in.

But getting aid into Haiti has been a slow-going process, especially when the lines of communication are interrupted. Communication is critical in getting humanitarian aid, services and information into the disaster area.

But despite the overwhelming obstacles and destruction, Haiti does have one bright spot – the sun. Besides food, water, shelter and medical supplies, solar-powered devices are also being distributed – many of which will have long lasting benefits beyond the immediate crisis. Solar lighting, water purification systems, mobile phones, laptops and even Audio Bibles powered by the sun, are all being donated.

Solar-Powered Sun Ovens.

© Image by solarcookers.org. Solar Ovens.

On January 28th, Sun Ovens International, partnering with Friends of Haiti Organization (FOHO) and Feed My Starving Children, will send nearly 300,000 meals and stand-alone solar-powered Sun Ovens to Port-au-Prince.

Sun Ovens, insulated boxes surrounded by panels of highly polished aluminum, get hot enough to boil, steam, roast or bake food at temperatures up to 360 degrees F. One commercial-sized solar oven, which can make 1,200 meals every eight hours, is already in place with two more commercial ovens en route.

A donation of $40 will purchase one solar cooker kit for a family. One hundred percent of all donations are used to send the ovens to Haiti – no expenses are deducted. Additional shipments of the Sun Ovens are being planned.

Solar-Powered Water Purification Systems.

© Image from army-technology.com. Solar Water Purification System.

After the earthquake, a solar-powered mobile water pumping and purification system was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building and moved to the International Red Cross base. The Mobile MaxPure system has been converting 30,000 gallons of contaminated water into drinkable water every day. The mobile system, from WorldWater & Solar Technologies, Inc., also supplies 3.3 kW of electric power for lights, tools or satellite communication systems.

And in an effort to send more solar-powered water purification systems to Haiti, WorldWater launched its non-profit WorldWater for Haiti campaign Wednesday.

Solar-Powered Cell Phones.

© Image from markstechnologynews.com.

Communication is critical in a crisis. Intivation, which developed solar power systems for mobile devices, and mobile network operator Digicel Group, are sending 1,000 solar-powered mobile phones to Haiti. The phones, equipped with built-in solar chargers, can operate in locations without any electricity. The phones will be distributed to aid workers and survivors. More than half a million of the phones have been sold since launching in June.

According to the company website, Digicel, the largest mobile network operator in the Caribbean, has donated $5 million in cash towards the relief effort. The company will use two of its private planes to transport the phones and other goods to the area.

Solar-Powered Lighting.

© Image from greendiary.com. Sol Inc. offers solar light systems to aid rescue operations in Haiti.

Florida-based Sol Inc., is donating more than $300,000 in solar lighting to Haiti. The solar-lights will provide much needed lighting for relief workers who work day or night and will provide additional security as well. The first shipment of lights will be installed at a medical clinic and orphanage. The lighting systems will also be installed at food distribution centers, relief camps and hospitals. The Tropical Solar Light Systems (TSL), take less than an hour to install and can withstand hurricane force winds.

For each donated TSL, the company will donate a second light as part of the Sol’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Matching Program.

XO Laptops.

© Image from erniesuggsharvard.wordpress.com. Haiti – One Laptop per Child.

© Image from laptoppicker.com. XO Laptop.

© Image from nerdseven.com. Voltaic Solar Charging Backpack.

According to the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) blog, the non-profit organization will be sending a consignment of free, ruggedized XO laptops to aid and reconstruction groups in Haiti. Free solar-charging backpacks are available.

Solar-Powered Audio Bibles.

Many of the survivors have lost everything and many thousands are sleeping on the street. Faith Comes by Hearing, a provider of audio Bibles, is offering its own form of hope and comfort to the millions of people affected by the disaster. It is partnering with disaster relief organization Convoy of Hope to distribute 600 portable, solar-powered Audio Bibles. This device, called The Proclaimer, has a built-in generator and solar panel to charge the battery, which can play for 15 hours. The organization is hoping to donate another 2,500 solar-powered devices.

Article by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway.
Read more here.

Sol, Inc. donation allows hospitals, food distribution, and relief camps to operate past dusk.

© Image by Galen R Frysinger.

PALM CITY, Fla., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Millions of dollars of relief may never reach Haitians in time unless roadways, relief camps, hospitals and distribution areas can operate past dark.

Donating $300,000 and organizing relief efforts for Haiti, Sol, Inc. is no stranger to the effect solar lights have on safety and security. With over 40,000 solar lighting systems installed in over 60 countries on six continents, Sol, Inc. CEO Rick Schuett knew that the Sol, Inc. team had the expertise and desire to make a real difference.

“The Board of Directors chaired by Michael Sonnenfeldt, along with Sol, Inc. employees felt compelled to assist the victims of this earthquake,” said Rick Schuett, CEO of Sol, Inc. “We know that once our solar lighting systems are installed, we will effectively double the amount of available relief effort time by allowing aid workers and rescuers to work around the clock when previously operations had to cease at dusk. In addition, our lighting systems will provide safety and security as well as being a hallmark that civility is being restored to the area.”

The total donation is expected to exceed $400,000 with assistance from suppliers, donations and a solar light matching program.

Facilitating the assistance to Haiti is not a small task.

Sol, Inc. is working with Florida Congressman Rooney’s Stuart office, several relief agencies and government agencies to transport the solar lights from Florida and get them installed in Haiti as quickly as possible. Missionary Flights International – http://www.missionaryflights.org – based in Ft. Piece has graciously agreed to fly some of the solar lighting systems as well as Sol, Inc. volunteers. Sol, Inc. is working with other relief organizations such as World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org , Unicef – http://www.unicef.org and Hands On Disaster Response – http://www.hodr.org to coordinate the installation, local logistics and security for the traveling team.

© Image by Nick Hobgood. Overlooking Port-au-Prince.

In addition, Sol, Inc. is dispatching a 44′ catamaran donated by local entrepreneur Deane Blazie of Jupiter Island, which is scheduled to leave late Sunday or Monday (depending on weather). The boat will remain in Haiti for the next several weeks providing ground support and logistics.

Several of Sol, Inc.’s suppliers have generously donated time and materials including Alliance Composites Inc., C & L Technologies, Citizen Electronics, Haze Battery U.S.A., Karl Lust and SPOSTO Interactive, allowing Sol, Inc. to increase the number of solar light systems that will be available to the relief efforts.

“Our efforts will continue,” said Schuett. “If you or your organization would like to donate money, medical supplies, water or equipment, please contact us immediately. Sol, Inc. is also actively seeking air and ocean transportation avenues for forthcoming donations.”

Victor Sotolongo is coordinating the Solar Lights Donation logistics for Sol, Inc. Call, text or email him at 772.205-9987 or v.sotolongo@solarlighting.com .

Sol will be providing additional lights through a special ongoing Solar Lights for Haiti matching program it has established. For every solar light system purchased, Sol, Inc. will match the donation with a second solar light system. To support the solar lights for Haiti relief effort, visit http://www.solarlighting.com and click “Donate Light to Haiti Earthquake Victims.”

Sol, Inc.’s solar light philanthropy program has assisted victims and volunteers in disaster recovery. Past recipients include: Hurricane Katrina Recovery Lighting (2005), Hurricane Rita Recovery Lighting (2005), Peruvian Earthquake Relief (2007), and Chapman, Kansas Tornado Redevelopment Lighting (2009). For more information about Sol, Inc.’s charitable outreach program visit: http://www.solarlightingusa.com/community-outreach.html

About Sol, Inc. – http://www.solarlighting.com

Sol, Inc. is the world leader in solar LED outdoor lighting solutions with over 40,000 systems installed in more than 60 countries on six continents. Since 1990, Sol has introduced innovative and cost-effective solar lighting systems that provide unsurpassed levels of illumination and reliability. Sol, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets commercial/industrial-grade solar powered and energy efficient lighting systems for a wide range of lighting applications including area and security, street and roadways, sign and billboards and transit and shelter lighting. Sol, Inc. is ISO 9001:2000 certified and committed to superior design, manufacturing, and customer satisfaction.

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